Delhi Govt To Demolish 34 Schools, Build 27 New Ones At ₹900 Crore

The Delhi government has announced a major overhaul of its school infrastructure, with plans to demolish 34 existing schools and build 27 new ones across the city at a cost of around ₹900 crore. The decision comes after a citywide digital profiling exercise, which identified safety and infrastructure concerns in many of the existing schools.

The new school buildings will be constructed on vacant plots and are expected to be completed within 18 months. The sites have been divided into five geographical clusters to facilitate faster execution and monitoring. Of the 34 schools identified for demolition, work is already underway on 16, while nine cases have been approved.

The move is part of a larger effort to assess and improve the infrastructure and safety requirements of all 1,090 government schools in Delhi. The digital profiling exercise involved detailed documentation of school assets, including cleanliness, drinking water facilities, security arrangements, furniture, digital infrastructure, kitchens, and laboratories.

Every room in the school buildings has been digitized using 360-degree imaging, creating a permanent digital record that allows virtual walkthroughs and can aid planning and decision-making. Drone-based surveys, high-resolution orthomosaic images, and GIS-based visualization are also being used to support planning, budgeting, and monitoring of future infrastructure works.

Structural safety is a key component of the exercise, with specialized teams conducting visual inspections and non-destructive tests to assess the condition of the school buildings. Based on the scientific assessment, school buildings will be categorized for retention, repair, retrofitting, or demolition to ensure the safety of students and staff.

The Directorate of Education has invited bids from Central government public sector undertakings for appointment as the project management consultant-cum-EPC agency for turnkey construction of the 27 new schools. The 27 sites have been divided into five clusters, with six plots in Narela and Bawana, five in Bhalswa, Salempur Majra, and Dariyapur Kalan, and others in Rohini, Mundka, and Sawda Ghevra.

The Delhi government's move to overhaul its school infrastructure is a significant step towards improving the quality of education in the city. The new school buildings will provide a safe and modern learning environment for students, and the digital profiling exercise will help identify areas for improvement in the existing schools.

The project is expected to be completed within 18 months, and the new school buildings will be equipped with modern facilities and infrastructure. The Delhi government's initiative is a major investment in the education sector, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the quality of education in the city.

In terms of significance, the project highlights the Delhi government's commitment to improving the education sector and providing a safe and modern learning environment for students. The use of technology, such as 360-degree imaging and drone-based surveys, is also a notable aspect of the project, as it will help in planning and decision-making.

Overall, the Delhi government's decision to demolish 34 existing schools and build 27 new ones is a major step towards improving the quality of education in the city. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the education sector, and it highlights the government's commitment to providing a safe and modern learning environment for students.

The project's significance extends beyond the education sector, as it also highlights the government's efforts to improve the overall infrastructure of the city. The use of technology and innovative methods in the project is also a notable aspect, as it will help in planning and decision-making.

In conclusion, the Delhi government's move to overhaul its school infrastructure is a significant step towards improving the quality of education in the city. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the education sector, and it highlights the government's commitment to providing a safe and modern learning environment for students.